February seems to a month full of Conferences for Technology/Web 2.0/Social Media enthusiasts alike.

Tops in the list of upcoming events is the Social Media Club Nigeria Conference scheduled to hold between February 25 and 26, 2010.

The Conference is organised by the Nigerian Chapter of Social Media Club International which is headed by Mr. Yinka Olaito.

Mr. Yinka Olaito is the President of the Nigerian Chapter of the Social Media Club and NaijaWebGeek recently caught up with him to tell us more about the Conference and his views on Social Media in Nigeria.

Here is the interview:

NaijaWebGeek: Who is Yinka Olaito?
Yinka Olaito: Yinka Olaito helps individuals, organizations to maximize values in their brands/ideas through adequate positioning (that guarantees maximal result) to the target audience that can pay premium. My unique ability is in developing engaging strategy that turns potential, clients to brands’ advocates. I combine passion with proven skills in Branding, Public Relations, Social media, training, writing among others. I am an advocate of a positive change and a better tomorrow no matter what the present circumstances may be.

I graduated with honours (I had three awards for my undergraduate and I was the best student for my set in my postgraduate studies) like other people around. I have done a lot of researches here and there to improve the level of knowledge at brand’s disposal. I am an avid consumer of relevant information that can help humanity to readjust to issues with a level of finesse. I work with Michael age consulting ( a brand, Public/digital relations) firm in Lagos, Nigeria. I am the publisher of  The Branding Gavel (www.yinkaolaito.com) – an award winning blog in marketing, Branding and career counsel. Finally I love God. Who is the pillar of my life.

NaijaWebGeek: What is Social Media Club and how did the Nigeria Chapter came to being?
Yinka Olaito: Social media club international, California is a non profit, professional association that brings together journalists, brand, PR, marketing experts, publishers, students, communicators who share common purpose of upscaling knowledge in social media arena. Parts of the mission for establishing the club are: Expand Media Literacy, Share Lessons Learned Among Practitioners, Encourage Adoption of Industry Standards and Promote Ethical Practices through Discussion and Actions. The club has been involved in various advocacies around the world. These includes “tweet for boobs’’ to raise awareness for breast cancer, save Darfur 2008 – to raise awareness for the war torn countries. We also have SMCEDU, which is to increase knowledge in the area of social media among other worthwhile projects.

NaijaWebGeek: What is your view on Social Media in Nigeria (where are we now and what ways can we improve?)
Yinka Olaito: There seems to be increase in awareness in the use of facebook as a connecting tool for friends but many still do not know the full benefit of the platform. Many are not familiar with twitter at all because that platform is for serious minded people, professionals who will take his time to understand its functionality. Many brands here still do not know that social media platforms are not only for kids. No wonder they have not explored the vast potentials in the media. Get required knowledge and fire on. We need to train more professionals that can help our brands here and that is one of our chapter objectives.

NaijaWebGeek: How did you get involved in SMC and what is your level of involvement?
Yinka Olaito: As a brand strategist, communicator, I am always eager to find the better way to do things. So as a digital citizen, I developed a hunger for knowledge then one thing leads to the other, lines just fall upon lines and I connected with the club international President/Founder: Chris and Kristie Huers (wonderful couple) and we discussed the possibility of a Nigeria chapter. At the end God granted us the capacity. I am the present President of the chapter.

NaijaWebGeek: What is SMC’s current member base and how does one become a member?
Yinka Olaito: At last count, we are about sixty two, we currently use facebook page but we will soon move to our chapter official websites when logistics are perfected. Being part of any local chapter automatically confers on individual rights and privileges of international membership and one can attend any international conference at a reduced price. Till the conference holds, membership will be open but after the conference standards will have to be set to ensure commitment. There is a compulsory monthly meeting attendance.
So individual can become member for now by joining the facebook fan page of the chapter.

NaijaWebGeek: Please explain what the SMC Nigeria Conference is about?
Yinka Olaito: Find details of the event here.

NaijaWebGeek: Who can attend and what are the benefits of attending?
Yinka Olaito: Anyone with passion for knowledge and a strong desire for social media application.

NaijaWebGeek: Any special registration requirements?
Yinka Olaito: Pre/register/ Send participation request to smcinigeria@gmail.com for planning purposes

NaijaWebGeek: When and where is the event holding?
Yinka Olaito: Horscal suites, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research by Presbyterian Church, Yaba Lagos. Time is 9-4pm daily. Date is 25-26 February 2010.

NaijaWebGeek: Your last words…/Conclusion.

Yinka Olaito: I normally do not have last words, we are in the age of conversation. Individual can only put a comma on the conversation. So till we meet again, be a change agent, become global brands because there are several advantages in that.